A Guide on the East Coast? (1 Viewer)

I'm pretty much a beginner but I'm keen,having come to birds after a life long interest in almost all other aspects of natural history, also a bit of a 'Dude' I guess and hence my request. I'm off to the east coast - Mersea Island, where my dad lives, up to Blakeney, for a weeks unadulterated birding in October. Anybody out there who is local to these areas who could help me out? Or would mind if a relative 'newbie' tagged along?
Just got Where to watch Birds in East Anglia and I'm already drooling at the prospect.

Chris

Drool on Chris! Had a week there a few years ago in October and it was brilliant. Can't remember the names of all the places now, except Cley, Titchwell and Minsmere but the 'locals' will put you right.

D

Well all of the above are WELL worth going to.

If you don't want to travel to far then you have

Abberton Reservoir - has visitor centre
http://www.essexwt.org.uk/Sites/Abberton Reservoir.htm
Fingrinhoe Wick - has visitor centre
http://www.essexwt.org.uk/Sites/Fingringhoe Wick.htm
Hanningfield Reservior - has visitor centre
http://www.essexwt.org.uk/Sites/Hanningfield Reservoir.htm
Chigborough Lakes
http://www.essexwt.org.uk/Sites/Chigborough Lakes.htm
Abbots Hall Farm
http://www.essexwt.org.uk/Sites/Abbotts Hall Farm.htm
Tollesbury Wick
http://www.essexwt.org.uk/Sites/Tollesbury Wick.htm

I haven't been to all these - the shame! but Fingringhoe and Hanningfield can be good.

they all within 20 miles of Mersea I'd guess if not less

Of the sites mentioned above by Pete, Abberton is excellent at the moment - good numbers of waders building up as the water levels drop. If you just stand on the Layer Breton causeway for a while, you'll see a fair amount. On the other hand, I've heard several people say that Hanningfield is extremely quiet this autumn, for no apparent reason.

Another site to add to the list is Old Hall Marshes, near Tollesbury - see
http://www.birdforum.net/thedirectory/showproduct.php?product=285&sort=7&cat=998&page=1

On Mersea itself, there's potentially good birding on the north of the island, with waders in the channel north of Reeveshall Marsh.

If the weather is good for migrant passerines (basically easterlies), the The Naze can be superb - could be some rarities around.

The Southend area is pretty well watched and turns up some good birds - there's always Rossi the Ring-billed Gull and loads of Mediterranean Gulls to see on the seafront! See http://applerow.co.uk/Bird_Sites.asp for some ideas - Gunners Park in Shoebury attracts migrants in the right conditions.

Hope this helps!

Chris,

What week in October are you up here in Norfolk, I'm a relative newcomer to birding (nearly 2 years), but know a lot of the spots and go out every weekend so I might be able to help you out.

Pete :~} :eat:

Week beginning 3rd or 10th Oct, have yet to finalise.

Thanks for the offer.

Chris